Friends of Waite Conservation Reserve
– About the Reserve –
History of the Reserve
The creation of the Waite Conservation Reserve is due to the vision of Professor Harold Wilson, the Director of the Waite Agricultural Research Institute from 1990 to 1996.
As a botanist, Harold took a great interest in the Arboretum and in the paddocks to the east and south of the Institute Buildings. With the merger of the Roseworthy College with the University in 1991 crop experiments and the sheep that previously grazed the Waite Hills and Arboretum were moved to Roseworthy. Harold then acted quickly to have all the internal fences and styles removed from the Waite Hills so that it would be too costly to bring the sheep back. In 1992 a Waite Management Committee was formed and the Waite Conservation Reserve was formally declared. All those who use the reserve owe Professor Harold Wilson a debt of gratitude for his vision to create the reserve.
Dr Jennifer Gardner, OAM, former curator of the reserve, gave a detailed presentation on the history of the reserve at the Friends of Waite Conservation Reserve AGM in May 20324. A copy of Dr Gardner’s presentation can be downloaded here: